The UK government is prepared to support plans to add provisions to the football governance bill that would block the Premier League and English Football League from staging competitive matches overseas, sources have confirmed. The move follows concerns among MPs that existing clauses are insufficient to prevent clubs from moving games abroad, a practice widely opposed by fans' groups.
Liverpool chairman Tom Werner had previously expressed a desire to see Premier League matches played in cities such as New York, Tokyo and Riyadh, reflecting growing pressure to capitalise on global popularity. Fifa is expected to approve radical changes this year that would allow domestic league fixtures to be played outside national territories, overturning long-standing regulations.
The bill establishing the Independent Football Regulator passed its second reading in the House of Commons this week. Amendments are likely during the committee stage to explicitly outlaw the relocation of matches abroad. Although the government is not introducing the amendment itself, it is sympathetic to the principle and could support it depending on the wording.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters stated last summer that there are “no plans” to take games abroad, noting the issue has not been formally discussed since 2008. However, Premier League policy is determined by its member clubs, and a majority of 14 could override executive objections. Fifa's working group is expected to issue new recommendations following a legal dispute with US promoter Relevent, which argued the ban on overseas games was anti-competitive.
Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A have expressed intentions to move matches abroad as early as next season, signalling a broader industry shift. The UK government's backing of a ban underscores the cultural significance of domestic football and the desire to protect its traditional structure.
